The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Ryan Giacomino/The University News Juniors Greg Vukelic (left) and David Shields slack off in the Quad, where the inch-wide rope is tethered between two trees. There is no slacklining club at SLU, but a group of regulars gather to participate in the outdoor activity.

As the familiar signs of spring return to campus, students might notice an unfamiliar structure popping up among the fountains, flowers and green trees. That length of rope tethered between trees is not a restrictive barrier, nor is it there to keep the trees standing. Instead, it is the key piece of equipment for slacklining, a burgeoning activity on Saint Louis University's campus.

Slacklining is, essentially, tightrope walking, except the rope is a strap about an inch wide and has a greater amount of allowable slack. There is not an official club for the sport at SLU, but there is an informal group of regulars, said junior David Shields.

"[Slacklining] is just a hobby we have … something that we bring out on the Quad instead of a soccer ball or a Frisbee," Shields said.

He was introduced to the sport about two-and-a-half years ago during the first nice day of second semester. Many people use the sport to work on their core strength and balance.

While Shields has not been a regular participant since high school, he said he continues to enjoy the physical and social aspects of the sport. He said that anyone passing by is welcome to try slacklining when the line is up.

"There's two types of reactions people have when they see us [slacklining]," he said. "They either look at us like we are weird, and they keep on walking, or they go, 'Hey, I want to try it.'"

Outside of the line itself, no gear is needed. Most people walk on their bare feet, but some climbers prefer to use climbing shoes.

For anyone on the fence about participating due to fears about balance, Shields offers some insight.

"Some people are naturally good and don't even know it till they try it out."

One of the group's regulars learned this a year ago when he first noticed Shields on the slackline and decided to give it a shot.

By the first day, junior Greg Vukelic was able to balance himself on the narrow line, and, after a month-and-a-half of practicing once or twice a week, he was able to walk across the line from start to finish.

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